Osweiler is only with the Broncos because 2016 first-round pick Paxton Lynch is injured. The Broncos needed a backup when Lynch was injured in the preseason, the Browns cut Osweiler, and Denver scooped him up because he knew the offense. The Broncos also have some positive memories associated with Osweiler. Before he signed with Houston for more money than Denver offered, which general manager John Elway and Broncos fans didn’t seem to understand, Osweiler had a nice run in 2015 when Peyton Manning was on the sideline with an injury. Without Osweiler leading some key wins late that season, notably prime-time wins against the New England Patriots and Cincinnati Bengals, the Broncos would not have won a Super Bowl.

Now Osweiler is back as Denver’s starter. Siemian was the starter last season and began this season playing well, but as the Broncos asked him to carry the offense he predictably struggled. Osweiler is unlikely to have much more success, because the offensive issues go much deeper than the quarterback position, but the Broncos had to try something new with their season slipping away.

We’ve seen Osweiler start for the Broncos before. It just feels so much weirder this time around.